Braid vs Fluoro

[bhoff]

In the past I have really only used fluoro on my bottom contact stuff but switched to braid this summer to give it a try. I am throwing everything without a leader so it's straight braid to bait in most applications. I hear often that braid can get less bites in pressured waters, but how many fewer are we talking you think? You think braid could really scare away a good amount of fish that would bite on mono or fluoro? Just curious because if there really is a significant difference I might have to switch back...

[Todd2]

I've switched to straight braid (no leaders) on all of my reels and I am having a better than average  (for me) Spring. My water is pressured but heavy stained most of the Spring. I bought some cheap Ebay braid that I hate...it's too limp. I have Power Pro, Fireline Crystal that have some body and they really perform well for me for bottom contact lures. I haven't lost one rig or broke off a fish since switching and with braid, you spend more time fishing and less time retying. 

 

 

[Troy85]

I've used straight braid for years.  Recently I spooled up a couple rods with Fluro just to see if it made a difference.  I didn't notice any considerable difference between using straight braid vs fluro.  I'm sure water clarity and vegetation plays a part.  My water isn't generally clear(1' visibility is the norm, anything more is considered good), my assumption is that if the visible line does bother the fish, they may not have time to actually notice it with the water clarity that I have.  Where I fish is also full of grass, fishing weedless baits in the summer is almost required, so I also assume that the bass don't notice my green braid with all the other green vegetation around.

 

In lakes with very clear water they say it matters,  I can't really say, never fished any.

[SMITTY0045]

I use straight braid for jigs all the time with no isssues. The only time I’d consider adding a leader is if you are in gun clear water, just to be on the safe side. Otherwise I wouldn’t worry about it

[Nunz]

On 6/11/2018 at 8:38 AM, bhoff said:

In the past I have really only used fluoro on my bottom contact stuff but switched to braid this summer to give it a try. I am throwing everything without a leader so it's straight braid to bait in most applications. I hear often that braid can get less bites in pressured waters, but how many fewer are we talking you think? You think braid could really scare away a good amount of fish that would bite on mono or fluoro? Just curious because if there really is a significant difference I might have to switch back...

Using Moss green braid i get just as many bites as using a long flouro leader. I have yet to see how fishing with straight hi vis yellow works. 

[LionHeart]

I truly don't know if it matters but even if I miss a single bite because a fish is line shy or whatever you want to call it, that is too many.

 

I have mastered too many other ways to spook fish to even consider not using a leader.